Thomas Brightman
Encyclopedia
Thomas Brightman was an English clergyman and biblical commentator. His exegesis of the Book of Revelation
, published posthumously, proved influential. According to William M. Lamont, Brightman and Joseph Mede
were the two most important “revisionists” of the interpretation and eschatology
set down by John Foxe
; among Brightman's contributions was to weaken the imperial associations tied to the Emperor Constantine I
. The detailed reading, in favour of the Genevan and Scottish churches, and condemning the ‘Laodicean’ (lukewarm) Church of England
, helped to move on the Puritan conceptions of church reform and its urgency.
, and admitted a pensioner at Queens' College, Cambridge
, in 1576, where he became Fellow in 1584. He graduated B.A. in 1581, M.A. in 1584, B.D, in 1591. In 1592. on the recommendation of William Whitaker
, Sir John Osborne gave him the rectory of Hawnes in Bedfordshire
. Brightman frequently discussed in his college church ceremonies with George Meriton, afterwards dean of York. As a preacher he was celebrated, though his disaffection from the church establishment was no secret. It is said that he subscribed the Book of Discipline
.
His life, says Thomas Fuller
, was most angelical. He used always to carry about a Greek testament, which he read over every two weeks.
Riding on a coach with Sir John Osborne, and reading a book (for he would lose no time), he fainted, and died, on 24 August 1607. He was buried, according to the parish register, on the day of his death at Hawnes. There is an inscription to him in the chancel. He was never married. His funeral sermon was preached by Edward Bulkley, D.D., sometime fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, and rector of Odell
in Bedfordshire.
was written under divine inspiration. In it he makes the church of England the Laodicean church, and the angel that God loved the church of Geneva and the kirk of Scotland. The main object of his system of prophecy in a commentary on Daniel, as well as in his book on the Apocalypse, was to prove that the pope is that anti-Christ whose reign is limited to 1290 days or years, and who is then foredoomed by God to utter destruction.
In 1615 his work Shall They Return to Jerusalem Again? was published, advocating the return of the Jews to the Holy Land, one of the first Christians to do so. "There is nothing more certain: the prophets do everywhere confirm it and beat upon it."
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
, published posthumously, proved influential. According to William M. Lamont, Brightman and Joseph Mede
Joseph Mede
Joseph Mede was an English scholar with a wide range of interests. He was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he became a Fellow from 1613. He is now remembered as a biblical scholar. He was also a naturalist and Egyptologist...
were the two most important “revisionists” of the interpretation and eschatology
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
set down by John Foxe
John Foxe
John Foxe was an English historian and martyrologist, the author of what is popularly known as Foxe's Book of Martyrs, , an account of Christian martyrs throughout Western history but emphasizing the sufferings of English Protestants and proto-Protestants from the fourteenth century through the...
; among Brightman's contributions was to weaken the imperial associations tied to the Emperor Constantine I
Constantine I
Constantine the Great , also known as Constantine I or Saint Constantine, was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337. Well known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, Constantine and co-Emperor Licinius issued the Edict of Milan in 313, which proclaimed religious tolerance of all...
. The detailed reading, in favour of the Genevan and Scottish churches, and condemning the ‘Laodicean’ (lukewarm) Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
, helped to move on the Puritan conceptions of church reform and its urgency.
Life
He was born at NottinghamNottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, and admitted a pensioner at Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
, in 1576, where he became Fellow in 1584. He graduated B.A. in 1581, M.A. in 1584, B.D, in 1591. In 1592. on the recommendation of William Whitaker
William Whitaker (theologian)
William Whitaker was a prominent Anglican theologian. He was Master of St. John's College, Cambridge, and a leading divine in the university in the latter half of the sixteenth century.-Early life and education:...
, Sir John Osborne gave him the rectory of Hawnes in Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire
Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county of historic origin in England that forms part of the East of England region.It borders Cambridgeshire to the north-east, Northamptonshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the west and Hertfordshire to the south-east....
. Brightman frequently discussed in his college church ceremonies with George Meriton, afterwards dean of York. As a preacher he was celebrated, though his disaffection from the church establishment was no secret. It is said that he subscribed the Book of Discipline
Book of Discipline
A Book of Discipline or Book of Order is a book detailing the beliefs, practices, doctrines, laws, organisational structure and government of many Christian denominations...
.
His life, says Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller
Thomas Fuller was an English churchman and historian. He is now remembered for his writings, particularly his Worthies of England, published after his death...
, was most angelical. He used always to carry about a Greek testament, which he read over every two weeks.
Riding on a coach with Sir John Osborne, and reading a book (for he would lose no time), he fainted, and died, on 24 August 1607. He was buried, according to the parish register, on the day of his death at Hawnes. There is an inscription to him in the chancel. He was never married. His funeral sermon was preached by Edward Bulkley, D.D., sometime fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, and rector of Odell
Odell, Bedfordshire
Odell is a village and civil parish in the north of the county of Bedfordshire in England that lies to the north-west of the county town of Bedford, near the villages of Harrold, Felmersham, Sharnbrook, and Carlton.-Roman and Saxon period:...
in Bedfordshire.
Works
He persuaded himself and others that a work of his on the ApocalypseApocalypse
An Apocalypse is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted. The Apocalypse of John is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament...
was written under divine inspiration. In it he makes the church of England the Laodicean church, and the angel that God loved the church of Geneva and the kirk of Scotland. The main object of his system of prophecy in a commentary on Daniel, as well as in his book on the Apocalypse, was to prove that the pope is that anti-Christ whose reign is limited to 1290 days or years, and who is then foredoomed by God to utter destruction.
In 1615 his work Shall They Return to Jerusalem Again? was published, advocating the return of the Jews to the Holy Land, one of the first Christians to do so. "There is nothing more certain: the prophets do everywhere confirm it and beat upon it."